Filing a Workers' Comp Claim in Connecticut

An injured employee must report the injury to the employer (or someone representing the employer) immediately. If the report is late, the administrative law judge may reduce the award in proportion to any harm the employer proves the delay caused.

A written notice of claim for compensation (Form 30C) must be given within one year from the date of the accident, or within three years from the first symptom of an occupational disease. If the worker died within two years, dependents may file within that two-year period or within one year of the death, whichever is later. A late notice does not bar the claim if, within the deadline, there was a hearing or written request for a hearing, a voluntary agreement was submitted, or the employer furnished medical care for the injury. The notice can be given to the employer or to the Commission.

Report the injury to your employer right away. File a written Notice of Claim for Compensation (Form 30C) to your employer or to the Workers' Compensation Commission (by a method allowed by law), stating the date and place of the accident, the nature of the injury, and your name and address. After the employer files its first report of injury, the Commission must send the worker a copy of Form 30C within five business days. If the employer wants to contest the claim, it must file a notice contesting liability within 28 days after receiving the written claim; otherwise it must start paying and may be presumed to accept the claim.

Disputes are decided by a Workers' Compensation Commission administrative law judge. Either party may appeal an award or decision to the Compensation Review Board within 20 days after it is entered, by filing an appeal petition in the administrative law judge's office. The Board reviews the hearing record and must decide within one year. Decisions of the Compensation Review Board may be appealed further to the Connecticut Appellate Court.

In Connecticut an injured worker files Form 30C, Notice of Claim for Compensation, within one year of the injury. File it with your employer (get a signed, dated receipt, or send it by certified or registered mail with a return receipt) and send it to the correct Workers' Compensation Commission district office; Form 30C can also be sent electronically through the WCC GovQA portal. Keep a copy. If benefits are delayed or denied you can request a hearing with a WCC administrative law judge. Help: Workers' Compensation Commission, 860-493-1500 (ask for an Education Coordinator), Mon-Fri 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.